How do you recite the Shema?

Observant Jews consider the Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (religious commandment)….Shema Yisrael.

Halakhic texts relating to this article
Babylonian Talmud: Berakhot
Jerusalem Talmud: Berakhot
Mishneh Torah: Mishneh Torah, Sefer Ahava ch. 1–4

What are the opening words of the Shema?

“Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord alone, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your might.”

What does the Shema say in English?

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.

When should Shema be recited?

Many Jews say the Shema three times a day: in the morning, in the evening and before they go to sleep.

Why do we cover our eyes for Shema?

Shema, as our most intense prayer, requires the consciousness of God’s unity and the underlying unity of all existence. Covering our eyes helps us concentrate on this. After the first line of Shema, we recite v’ahavta (“and you shall love the Lord your God”) with our eyes open.

Why do we cover our eyes when saying Shema?

Is the Shema in the Bible?

Shema, (Hebrew: “Hear”), the Jewish confession of faith made up of three scriptural texts (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21; Numbers 15:37–41), which, together with appropriate prayers, forms an integral part of the evening and morning services.

Why is the Shema prayer so important?

It affirms that there is only one God. The Shema says that God is personal and demands love from Jews with every aspect of their being. It also says that Jews should follow his instructions and allow this love to be seen. Many Jews will say the Shema every morning and evening as it is a very important prayer.

Why is the Shema the most important prayer?

It also says that Jews should follow his instructions and allow this love to be seen. Many Jews will say the Shema every morning and evening as it is a very important prayer. The Shema is an important Jewish prayer which declares the Jewish belief that there is only one God.

Does Jesus quote the Shema?

In John’s Gospel, Jesus does not cite the Shema as the greatest commandment in the Law as he does in the Synoptic Gospels (“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.